How to Submit a Claim to SCE

If you have suffered a loss or damage due to recent service interruption, and believe we may be responsible, you may submit a claim. How to submit your claim >

We investigate and evaluate each claim individually, and our policy is to respond promptly.

Long Beach Update

As of 9:13 a.m. today, power has been restored to all customers in Long Beach, however some customers who have been on generator power may experience temporary outages as we connect them to the network as safely as possible.

We thank customers for their patience as we work to restore them to the network as safely and efficiently as possible. We encourage customers in Long Beach to make every effort to conserve use of electricity as we continue to return the system to its full operational capacity.

We have opened our distribution center at 925 Locust at 8 a.m. today to distribute food, ice and water. The safety of the public and our crews remain our highest priority. We thank the city of Long Beach for its cooperation and for the especially important safety efforts of first responders in the Long Beach Fire and Police departments. Get the latest update >

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Central Heating: Not Just Hot Air

Pre-Heating: Before You Upgrade

Did you know that between 25% to 40% of your heating system’s output may be escaping to the outside through cracks and other openings in the home?1 Before upgrading to a more efficient furnace, minimize your operating costs. By insulating, weather-stripping, and improving your windows first, you may be able to upgrade to a smaller, less expensive furnace.

Planning Pays: Heating Efficiency

Investing in space heating systems is an expensive and long-term decision. First, determine whether (and where) your home loses heat through its building shell. Next, improve your existing heating system’s efficiency. Then, if you buy a new heating system, consider your climate, the size of your home, your budget, and local utility and fuel costs. Weigh the system’s initial purchase price against its long term operating costs.

Hot Air vs. Hot Water: Furnaces & Boilers

Furnaces and boilers are the most common types of heating systems. The main difference is that furnaces burn fuel to heat air distributed through ducts, while boilers burn fuel to heat water circulated to warm the air in individual spaces. Controls, like thermostats and valves, turn the heating system on and off to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. In addition to space heating, boilers can also be used to heat your hot water supply, but can be slow to warm up. Unlike ducted systems, boilers can’t filter air or ventilate your home. Furnaces have the additional advantage of using the same air ducts as your central A/C. Highly efficient models will cost more to purchase (and possibly install), but they will cost less to operate over their 10 to 20 year lifetime.2

Heat Pumps: Smart for All Seasons

Heat pumps are economical and energy efficient for both heating and cooling. They extract heat from one place and transfer it to another. Residential heat pumps are either air-source systems, which draw heat from the air, or ground source systems, which draw heat from the ground or ground water. Both systems use electricity, but they are highly efficient because more than 3 times the energy they consume is converted into heating or cooling output.3

In cold weather, an air source heat pump removes warm air from outside the home and transfers it inside. In warm weather, the process can be reversed and the heat pump works like an air conditioner.

Ground source heat pumps take heat from underground. They require more space and are better suited for homes with large yards. Purchase and installation is costly but ground source systems have best operational savings in regions with extreme heating and cooling loads and generally higher energy bills.4

Rain or Shine: Active Solar Heating

Active solar systems capture and convert the sun’s energy, but also require power for supplemental electrical equipment like pumps or fans to circulate either liquid or air heated by solar. Liquid systems, like boilers, are available in models capable of heating both room spaces and water, while hot-air systems work much like furnaces.5

Solar heating systems are often designed to work together with other heating systems for better flexibility. An active system may not meet all your heating needs, especially in cold, cloudy climates where a backup heating system is required. An active solar heating system may still make sense in regions with longer cold-weather seasons, many sunny days, and above-average utility and fuel prices. Active solar heating systems cost from $5,000 to $18,000, but one room solar heaters are available for about $800.6 However, the operational savings can be exceptional. To learn more, contact an experienced solar heating designer, to see if active solar is right for you.

Size Matters: Equipment & Installation

Properly sized equipment and installation maximizes the benefits of new or modified heating systems. Oversized systems tend to turn on and off more frequently and accumulate moisture, which can damage the unit over time, while undersized systems won’t adequately heat the home. When requesting a size and installation quote, choose a contractor that follows ASHRAE and Air Conditioning Contractors of America guidelines. This will help ensure that factors including climate, the size and orientation of your home, any heat loss from your building shell, and your lifestyles are considered in the contractor’s calculations for the best fit.

Content in part adapted with permission from Rocky Mountain Institute’s Home Energy Briefs.

Places to Buy

Use & Care

Proper maintenance and installation of your home’s central heating will maximize efficiency measures. Learn more about Central Heating Use and Care, where to start, and how to keep warm, efficient, and see the most savings.
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Buyer’s Guide

Before you shop for efficiency upgrades, visit the Central Heating Buyer’s Guide for easy facts and figures that can help you choose the best equipment and materials for your home, needs and budget.